MedPath

Oral Ketone Body Supplementation in Patients With McArdle Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
McArdle Disease
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: β-hydroxybuturate esters
Dietary Supplement: Placebo drink
Registration Number
NCT03945370
Lead Sponsor
Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Brief Summary

McArdle disease, glycogen storage disease type V, is a rare metabolic disease. Affected individuals are unable to utilize sugar stored as glycogen in muscle.

Investigators hypothesize that ketones can be an alternative fuel substrate for skeletal muscle when muscle glycogenolysis is blocked as in McArdle disease.

In this study investigators will investigate the immediate effects of an oral supplementation of exogenous ketone bodies (poly-hydroxybuturate) on exercise capacity in patients with metabolic myopathies, compared with a placebo drink.

Detailed Description

McArdle disease, glycogen storage disease type V, is a rare metabolic disease caused by mutations in the PYGM gene resulting in absence of the enzyme muscle phosphorylase. Affected individuals are unable to utilize sugar stored as glycogen in muscle, leading to exercise intolerance, exercise-induced muscle pain, contractures and rhabdomyolysis, which may cause renal failure. Currently, there are no satisfactory treatment options for McArdle disease.

A key element of alleviating symptoms in McArdle disease is to provide alternative fuels for energy metabolism. Investigators hypothesize that ketones can be an alternative fuel substrate for skeletal muscle when muscle glycogenolysis is blocked as in McArdle disease.

Aim: To investigate the immediate effects of an oral supplementation of exogenous ketone bodies (poly-hydroxybuturate) on exercise capacity in patients with metabolic myopathies.

Supplement description: food supplement containing β-hydroxybuturate esters

Methods:

Study design: Placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over study. Inclusion: 5-8 patients with McArdle disease and 3-5 healthy controls.

Time table:

Subjects will meet to 2 test days. Subjects will be randomized using a 1:1 assignment ratio to receive either the keto-drink or placebo drink first. The oral supplement received will be blinded for the participants and the investigators. On each test day, subjects spend approximately 4 hours at the laboratory:

* Insertion of peripheral brachial venous catheters for extracting blood samples and stable isotope infusion and hydroxybutyrate infusion.

* Baseline blood sampling, medical examination, vital sign measurements, weight and height.

* Stable isotope infusion 2 hours before the cycling exercise test. Three stable isotope tracers \[2,4-13C2\]-D- β-hydroxybutyrate, \[1,1,2,3,3-2H5\]-glycerol and \[6,6-2H2\]-glucose solutions, are infused via a venous catheter until a steady-state is reached. The tracer infusions will continue during the cycling test. The tracers (all from Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Andover, MA, USA) will be dissolved and injected into a solution of 0.9% saline (NaCl) through a bacterial filter.

* One Ketone or placebo drink administration 30 minutes before the exercise test

* Subjects will perform a 40 minutes cycle exercise test at a constant load corresponding to 60-70% of their VO2max (found in a screening study). During the test, subjects wear a mask for continuous gas-exchange measurements and ECG electrodes to determine VO2 and heart rate during constant load cycling (VO2const and HRconst). Blood samples will be drawn 4 times before, every 10 minutes during exercise and after exercise. During the test participants will be asked to rate perceived exertion (RPE) on a Borg scale.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
8
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention sequence 1β-hydroxybuturate estersKetone drink first - Placebo drink secondly
Intervention sequence 1Placebo drinkKetone drink first - Placebo drink secondly
Intervention sequence 2Placebo drinkPlacebo drink first - Ketone drink secondly
Intervention sequence 2β-hydroxybuturate estersPlacebo drink first - Ketone drink secondly
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Heart rate30 minuts x 2

Change between visit 1 and 2 in mean heart rate during constant load cycling exercise (40 minute submaximal cycle test)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ketone metabolism150 minuts x 2

Change between visit 1 and 2, measured with stable isotope technique during the constant load cycling test

Carbohydrate metabolism150 minuts x 2

Change between visit 1 and 2, measured with stable isotope technique during the constant load cycling test

Blood ketone150 minuts x 2

Changes in ketone bodies in the blood between visit 1 and 2, measured at both before, during and at end exercise.

Fat metabolism150 minuts x 2

Change between visit 1 and 2, measured with stable isotope technique during the constant load cycling test

Indirect calorimetry30 minuts x 2

Changes in oxidation rates at visit 1 and visit 2, measured via indirect calorimetry before and during exercise

Perceived exertion30 minuts x 2

Changes in perceived exertion beween visit 1 and 2 during the cycle test

Metabolites30 minuts x 2

changes between visit 1 and 2

Insulin30 minuts x 2

Insulin changes between visit 1 and 2 measured before, during and at end exercise.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center

🇩🇰

Copenhagen, Denmark

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath